EXPLAINER
Hakeem Jeffries’s assertion that approximately 20% of veteran households rely on food stamps is not accurate.
By
Published On 13 May 2025
The Democratic leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, has recently made headlines for his remarks regarding the welfare of veterans. As he criticized House Republicans for proposed cuts to federal safety net programs, he claimed that “**about 20% of households with veterans rely on supplemental nutritional food assistance**.” But how accurate are these figures?
This statement followed reports about Republican efforts to limit future SNAP benefit increases, instituting additional work requirements, and shifting SNAP costs to states. With such vital discussions underway, it’s crucial to scrutinize the facts.
While Jeffries’s intent to highlight the hardships faced by veterans is commendable, **the actual percentage of veterans using SNAP benefits is significantly lower**. According to a report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (as of April 2), only about **8% of veterans in the U.S. turn to SNAP** for nutritional assistance.
Understanding the Data on Veterans and SNAP
Despite Jeffries’s claim, the scope of veterans facing food insecurity is narrow. An analysis from the Center revealed that **11% of veterans aged 18 to 64** faced food insecurity between 2015 and 2019—defined as “limited or uncertain access to enough food” due insufficient economic resources. This statistic shows that veterans experience food insecurity 7% more than their non-veteran counterparts after adjusting for socioeconomic factors.
Further breaking down the numbers, **more than 1.2 million veterans** live in households that receive SNAP benefits, equating to **8% of the total 16.2 million U.S. veterans** during that time frame. It’s worth noting that this 8% encompasses all veterans, regardless of their living situation—whether alone or with family.
A State-by-State Analysis of Veterans on SNAP
Curiously, the data varies significantly by state. For example, **Oregon** tops the list with **14%** of veterans relying on food stamps, trailed by **Louisiana, New Mexico, and West Virginia**, each showing figures around **11%**. This disparity raises questions about local economic conditions and the availability of support systems.
Historical Context of Veterans on SNAP
Looking back at previous years, data collected by the Rand Corporation between 2015 and 2020 found **only 4.9%** of veterans were in households receiving SNAP assistance at some point. A **2022 Government Accountability Office** report indicated this number had risen to **6.5%** in 2019. Additionally, averages from the Agriculture Department over 2018 and 2019 were around **6.6%**, illustrating a historical trajectory that reflects an increase, but not to the level Jeffries mentioned.
Our Final Verdict
To sum it up, Jeffries’s statement that “**about 20% of households with veterans rely upon**” SNAP benefits doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. The *current reality* is more nuanced: only **8% of veterans** rely on these benefits nationally, with **no state exceeding 14%**. While it’s true that veterans face food insecurity at a higher rate than non-veterans, the actual statistics present a much different landscape.
Thus, while Jeffries’s sentiment is rooted in a crucial issue, his figure paints an **overstated picture** of the situation. Our evaluation leads us to rate the original claim as **mostly false**—a reminder of the importance of precise data in the ever-evolving conversation about the welfare of those who have served our country.
